Havelock eliminates Eastern Wayne from dual-team playoffs

WINTERVILLE -- Eastern Wayne's journey in the Class 3-A N.C. High School Athletic Association dual-team wrestling playoffs ended Tuesday evening, but not without a little controversy.

Warrior head coach Mike Brown protested the outcome when the referee officiating the match failed to follow protocol during an injury timeout at 140 pounds. Eastern Wayne's Zack Hahn exhausted nearly two-thirds of his injury time in the opening period, and used the rest during the second period.

Once Hahn's allotted two minutes had expired, the referee announced his disqualification. Brown said Hahn could continue, but was never given the option to finish the match, which was tied at 6-6.

Brown contended the referee did not follow rulebook procedure and said it was a correctable error. The appeal fell on deaf ears until the remaining individual bouts had been wrestled and Havelock had claimed a 34-32 win.

Havelock officials contacted the referee's booking agent and he told Brown to file a protest this morning. The protest becomes null once the next dual match is wrestled in the playoffs.

"That was a ridiculous decision," said Brown.

Brown also contacted an NCHSAA official, who refused to overturn the ref's decision.

Later on, Eastern Wayne's 171-pounder Brandon Darby sustained a injury when he was slammed to the mat. The referee asked if Darby could continue and Brown said he couldn't.

"Why didn't you ask that when my 140-pounder was on the mat?" Brown replied.

The Warriors, who finished the season 16-6 overall, won four contested matches and received two forfeits. Chris Tesar (125 pounds) earned a technical fall, while A.J. Washington (135) posted a six-point decision. Detori Mitchell (152) and Brian Lincoln (160) each claimed a 6-0 decision.

Brandon Johnson (275) and freshman Drew Tesar each picked up a forfeit.